Pilot a green mining technology through the Environmental Technology Verification Program

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN)


1.	Definition

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor.  If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the competitive requirements of the government's contracting policy have been met.  Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their Statement of Capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may then be awarded using the Treasury Board's electronic bidding authorities.

If other potential suppliers submit Statement of Capabilities during the fifteen calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department or agency must proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

2.	Definition of Requirements

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has a requirement to pilot a green mining technology through the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV-Canada) Program to facilitate the adoption of new mining technologies. The use of a verification program for a green mining technology attempts to provide a solution to several issues by raising the confidence in the environmental performance of new technologies of both, industry and regulators. 

At the 2013 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference (EMMC), Ministers have identified environmental verification of technologies as a key priority for consideration. As part of this work, the primary focus for 2013-2014 is directed towards piloting a GMI technology via Environment Canada’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program. Based on previous years’ work, the ETV Program has been recognized by stakeholders as a potential solution to mitigate the risks associated with new technologies. 

Objectives:

To fulfill the EMMC 2013 request, NRCan seeks to retain the services of a supplier for the verification of one technology under the Green Mining Initiative

Phase 1: Assessment of current mine-wide energy management solutions and engagement with key stakeholders
Phase 2: Verification of the BESTECH NRG1-ECO system under the Canadian ETV Program
Phase 3: Post-verification activities 

The main objectives of the GMI Technology Performance Verification Pilot Project are to:

•	Improve the image of the Canadian mining industry by enhancing environmental performance through the verification of green mining technologies
•	Raise awareness and confidence of regulators and industry of new environmental technologies and the benefits of the ETV Program

Scope of Work

In order to meet the objectives, the following work is required:

1.	Assessment of current mine-wide energy management solutions and engagement with key stakeholders
2.	Verification of the BESTECH NRG1-ECO system via the existing ETV Program’s generic protocol by the supplier;
3.	Participate in meetings and calls with NRCan, Environment Canada, BESTECH and the Green Mining Initiative Intergovernmental Working Group (GMI-IGWG) as required to discuss status of pilot project and preliminary findings;
4.	Post-verification activities (see footnote #1). Scope of post-verification activities to be determined at a later stage.
5.	Preparation of short progress reports (2-3 pages) after the end of each phase.
6.	Preparation of the ETV standard Technology Fact Sheet for posting on ETV Website, and others, as required.  

Expected Deliverables

1.	Organization and planning of kick-off meeting between BESTECH, NRCan, EC and supplier. (January 2014).
2.	Report on the parameters selected to assess the environmental claim of the NRG1-ECO technology Phase 1 (January-February 2014). This first project report to be delivered at the end of February 2014. 
3.	Report on the verification process and the assessment of the environmental claim of the NRG1-ECO technology - Phase 2 (February-April 2014) as well as the standard Technology Fact Sheet. This second report to be delivered at the end of April 2014.
4.	Deliverables from potential Phase 3 to be defined later by NRCan and supplier, though it could be a specific Green Mining Technology verification protocol (to be developed during the potential Phase 3) to be applied to new mining-related environmental technologies.

3.	Trade Agreements

Trade Agreements are not applicable.
 



4.	Contract Period

The period of the contract will be from the date of contract award to April 30, 2014. Post-verification activities (from September 2014 to April 2015) are presently pending due to 1) successful pilot verification; 2) clear recommendation by the Ministers at EMMC 2014 to undertake additional work; and 3) acceptance by NRCan of detailed work plan from the supplier.


5.	Estimated Cost

•	Costs for Phases 1 and 2 of the GMI Technology Performance Verification Pilot Project should not exceed $45,000 (including 13% HST and travel expenses ). (FY 13-14)
•	Costs for Phase 3 should not exceed 25,000$ (including 13% HST and travel expenses) and is presently tentative, based on factors listed previously. (FY 14-15)

•	Total potential costs: 70,000$ (including 13% HST)

6.	Exception to the Government Contracts Regulations and applicable trade agreements

In accordance with the Government Contract Regulations (GCR) exception, Part 1, Section 6, (d) only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.

The proposed contractor is the unique Organisation that meets the mandatory below:

GLOBE Performance Solutions (GPS) is the only accredited delivery agent of the Canadian Environmental Technology (ETV) Program on behalf of the Government of Canada using the Canadian ETV Program General Verification Protocol (GVP). Environment Canada has contracted GPS as the independent third party to serve as the Delivery Agent. In delivering the Program, GPS draws upon accredited testing facilities and expertise of recognized testing organizations across Canada to conduct the analyses. The Delivery Agent approves the verification report and issues the verification documents. 

7.	Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

GLOBE Performance Solutions
World Trade Centre,
578-999 Canada Place,
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1
Canada

8.		Inquiries on Submission of Statement of Capabilities

"Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a Statement of Capabilities in writing, preferably by e-mail, to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date and time of this Notice.  The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements."


9.		The closing date and time for accepting Statements of Capabilities

January 30, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

10.	 Enquiries

Lucie Lepage
Natural Resources Canada
Contracting Officer
615 Booth Street, room 498
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E9
Fax: 613-996-1024
E-mail: lulepage@nrcan.gc.ca